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Ram is 'actively and aggressively' looking at smaller trucks

We sat down with Ram CEO Mike Koval Jr. at the Detroit Auto Show, and he dropped a number of interesting tidbits about some of Ram's plans for the near future. In particular, he made it sound like Ram is seriously considering adding smaller trucks to its lineup. But it also has bigger pickup reveals coming up both for the heavy duty line and our first look at what will become the electric Ram 1500. With smaller trucks, Koval's exact words were that they are "actively and aggressively" looking at trucks smaller than the current  Ram 1500. We asked specifically about midsize trucks, but he added that they're also quite interested in even smaller vehicles than that, which in the U.S., at least, would be Maverick-sized. Koval also noted that Ram might be able to leverage Stellantis' wide array of brands for additional models. Another factor that may have Ram interested in smaller options is that it's expanding in other markets. Koval said Ram has seen record sales in international markets, with standouts being South America and Australia. As for potential platforms for smaller Rams, the Gladiator platform would seem like a strong choice for a midsizer, since it's a traditional truck construction-wise, is already U.S.-certified, and has gone through some truck reinforcements. Outside American options, Peugeot sells a small to midsize pickup called the Landtrek, which was co-developed with a Chinese company. Ram also sells sub-compact pickups in Mexico and South America that are Fiat-derived. These latter two options would probably require significant alterations to bring them up to the refinement and performance standards of U.S. buyers, though. Koval also gave us a little hint at more concrete Ram product reveals in the near-term. Apparently it will have a major Ram HD announcement in October. He wouldn't say what exactly, though. With Ford Super Duty getting a refresh soon, we wouldn't be surprised if the same will be happening with the Ram HD. After the HD, Ram will show the Revolution concept in November, which will preview the electric Ram 1500. With a date like that, we're betting a reveal at or near the L.A. Auto Show. The production Ram 1500 electric pickup will be coming in 2024, and it will be accompanied by some sort of plug-in hybrid, possibly in a range-extender series-hybrid setup. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2023 Ram 1500 gets tech upgrades, Limited Elite special edition

The 2023 Ram light-duty and heavy-duty lineups gain a suite of minor upgrades and a revamped special edition. Starting with the 1500, all trims gain Rear-seat Reminder Alert and an LED hitch lamp in the tailgate handle. Models above the two Tradesman trims will have access to an optional 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster. The gauges can be displayed in digital or analogue form, further customization in the form of five configurable tiles and nearly 24 menus, and cluster configurations able to be saved to a particular user profile. Every 1500 trim that gets the 12-inch Uconnect 5 system will also get Stellantis' Emergency Vehicle Alert system, a boon for distracted drivers who might not realize there's an emergency vehicle approaching. The Ram 1500 Rebel will come with Selec-Speed Control standard. Swiped from Jeep and the TRX pickup, Selec-Speed Control is effectively off-road cruise control. Using buttons on the steering wheel, the driver can set the speed between 0.6 to 5 miles per hour when the transfer case is in 4WD Low. The feature will join the optional Back Country Package that can be optioned on the Big Horn and Lone Star trims, and the Off-Road Group available to the Big Horn, Lone Star, Laramie, Limited Longhorn and Limited trims. That Off-Road Group unlocks another goodie for 2023, being 22-inch all-terrain tires, but only for the Laramie, Limited Longhorn and Limited models. One special edition continues and another swings in. The Ram RED Edition carries on into 2023 for the Limited Crew Cab. It gets red RAM lettering in the grille and on the doors outside, the same again on the center console lid. For next year, it comes with a UV-C light in the glove box. Place an item in the glovebox and press a button a button on the center console, that light turns on for three minutes to kill pathogens like bacteria, viruses, mold and fungus. The RED model is part of Stellantis' pledge to help the Global Fund fight health emergencies in partnership with the 16-year-old non-profit RED. The new special trim is the 2023 Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition. This is Ram's continued swapping of names for special editions on the Limited, which has seen the 10th Anniversary and Southfork names in recent years. The $2,145 10th Anniversary Package rolls on into the new model year.

Jeep, Ram tease SEMA builds, and one looks like a Ram 1500 TRX PHEV

SEMA is back this year, and shows no signs of cancellation. And that means a whole new crop of custom builds from not only aftermarket companies, but OEMs such as Jeep and Ram. The two brands released teasers of their modified trucks for the show, and there are a couple of seriously intriguing ones. And the most brow-raising is the silver Ram 1500 TRX that could be a plug-in hybrid. What makes us say that? Well, take a look at the badging. The "RAM" badge in the grille is bright blue. And the front tow hooks are blue, too. Those cues are signatures of the Jeep 4xe plug-in hybrid models. And Jeep isn't the only one to utilize blue badging for electrified models. Ram 1500s with the 48-volt eTorque hybrid assist get blue-highlighted badges. So it seems like a slam-dunk that the wide-bodied desert-stomper in the teaser has a hybrid powertrain. We'd bet on it being the 375-horsepower turbo-four from the Wrangler, but maybe Ram put something unique together. The next curious model is what's quite clearly a variant of the military M715 truck. It's undoubtedly this year's restomod, as Stellantis brands are wont to build. Looking closer, it has a very high roof and center-mounted spotlight. Those are cues shared with the M725 ambulance. We wouldn't be surprised if Jeep took one of the old ambulances and turned it into one beast of an overlanding rig. We're excited to see what sort of other upgrades have been done, such as what engine will be powering it. Then we come to the interior of a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much going on, at least until you look at the roof. The cargo area has a significantly raised section. And there are safari windows letting light in. It will be interesting to see what it looks like from the outside. Finally, we have teasers of what's probably a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and a Ram 1500. The Wrangler shot is of the front fender, and the Ram is of the rear. They don't show much except what seem to be Mopar accessories. As such, we suspect these are show pieces for the Mopar catalog, and they might each have a couple of concept parts, but are otherwise a bit tame compared to the Jeep and Ram one-offs. All of these trucks will be revealed and on display at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The show will run Nov. 2-5. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.